County Durham street set for transformation with new housing and cafe culture expansion
A former shop on Coniscliffe Road in Darlington could be demolished and converted into apartments and townhouses as part of a wider town centre redevelopment
by Bill Edgar · ChronicleLiveThe transformation of Darlington is set to press ahead with innovative new housing proposals on the table.
Plans have surfaced involving a former retail space on which could see part demolition and blossoming into stylish apartments and townhouses.
Goldmart, the developer, has its sights set on creating four flats and two houses at number 17, bolstering the urban renewal efforts within the heart of the town.
Having previously undertaken the conversion and restoration of an adjacent historical building, a planning statement revealed ambitions for "restoring Coniscliffe Road as housing and to provide an attractive environment which allows people to live as well as work within Darlington town centre."
The target building is a four-storey mid-terraced structure presently unoccupied and clad in scaffolding that was once a purveyor of hi-fi equipment; the council was prompted at a recent assembly to take action over the property's neglected state.
Yet, the site's decrepit condition poses potential complications for its reimagining, with a particular note in the planning submission regarding a "failed" roof structure. Proposals include the razing of an unsound flat-roofed rear extension and garage.
With aspirations of restoring the Georgian frontage facing Northumberland Street, the initiative aims to weave the historic with the modern.
The planning fate will rest in the hands of Darlington Borough Council in the near future. Meanwhile, Coniscliffe Road is also expecting enhancements this month ranging from permanent outdoor dining spaces for businesses to the creation of a quaint pocket park complete with trees, benches, and fencing; in addition, pavements are set for expansion to accommodate.
The stretch of Coniscliffe Road – nestled between Grange Road and West Street/ Larchfield Street – is a bustling hub of offices, bars, restaurants, the Darlington County Court building, commercial units, and a residential development. The proposed redevelopment, estimated to cost around £940,000, aims to stimulate town centre trade.
"Outdoor dining has become characteristic of this part of Coniscliffe Road," said Darlington Borough Council. "The proposed widening of the pavements has been proposed to enable the continuation of this activity to increase footfall to this section of Coniscliffe Road.
"The planning application to alter this section of Coniscliffe Road is driven by a need to support the local economy, addressing business needs whilst creating a more comprehensive pedestrian and cyclist environment."
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